Abstract: An electrolytic cell for reducing a beryllium oxide in solid state, and a method for achieving this reduction, are provided. The electrolytic cell and method employ an anode, a cathode formed in part from beryllium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of reducing beryllium oxide. The reduction process involves operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which the reducing cations in the electrolyte will deposit as a metal on the cathode.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for reducing a beryllium oxide in solid state, and a method for achieving this reduction, are provided. The electrolytic cell and method employ an anode, a cathode formed in part from beryllium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of reducing beryllium oxide. The reduction process involves operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which the reducing cations in the electrolyte will deposit as a metal on the cathode.

Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemically detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid are provided. In the subject methods, a fluid sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) is introduced into an electrochemical test strip's electrochemical cell using a micro-needle integrated into one of oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes. An electric potential is applied to the electrochemical cell to first achieve a steady state cell current. A decrease in the steady state cell current is then detected and related to a change in viscosity of the sample. In many embodiments, the sample is blood and the change in viscosity is related to the onset of coagulation in the blood sample, and often the PT of the blood sample. An electrochemical test strip includes an electrochemical cell and an integrated micro-needle. The electrochemical cell includes oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes and a reagent mixture (e.g., a redox couple and a coagulation catalyzing agent).

Abstract: A microfabricated sensing device is disclosed, including methods for using the same for the measurement of the concentration of a gas in a sample. Unique sensor configurations are described which substantially eliminate electrode cross-contamination during operation of the microfabricated sensing devices.